JP2002196869A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of inputting the constitutional elements of a three-dimensional image. SOLUTION: When a pen tip of the input device is moved while depressing a detection switch 2, a depression signal indicating the depression of the switch 2 is inputted to a control part 6. The locus of the pen tip due to its movement is detected by an acceleration sensor 4. The inclination of the input device is detected by an angular sensor 5 to correct the moving locus. Data detected by both the sensors 4, 5 are inputted to a data control part 6 and the moving locus of the pen tip is stored in a memory 11 as data. Similarly to the transmission of a setting condition to an arithmetic processing unit(APU), the stored data are outputted to a radio part 7 through the control part 6 and encoded in the radio part 7 and the encoded data are transmitted from an antenna 8 to the APU.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device for inputting predetermined information to an electronic device, and more particularly to an input device for inputting image components such as characters and figures.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device for inputting image components such as characters and figures is used to input image components by touching a tablet with a pen-like object or touching a touch screen with a pen-like object. As a result, the image component has been input.

However, when an image component is input by touching the tablet with a pen, a detection device for detecting a contact point between the tablet and the pen is required. This detection device detects where on the plane there is a point of contact between the tablet and the pen. In addition, the detection device is often connected by wire to an arithmetic processing unit that performs arithmetic processing on the input image components. In such a configuration, the range in which the input device is installed is limited by the length of the line. In addition, since the input device requires a wide flat area to be installed, the detection device is not suitable for an input device of a portable processor.

In addition, when an input is performed by touching the touch screen with a pen, the position of the pen tip is detected by the touch of the pen tip with the screen, so that the touch may damage the screen.

In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-99251 discloses an electronic pen device and a character recognition method, in which pressing of a ball attached to a pen tip is detected. Thus, the pen down state during drawing and the pen up state during non-drawing are detected. According to this publication, at the time of drawing, the movement trajectories in the X-axis and Y-axis directions are detected by the ball rotation sensor and the acceleration sensor. On the other hand, at the time of non-drawing line, moving coordinates are detected by the acceleration sensor. Then, based on the pressure applied to the ball provided on the pen tip, it is detected whether or not the line is being drawn,
A movement locus is detected from the rotation of the ball.

[0006]

However, the input device of this configuration detects an image component to be input by bringing the pen tip into contact with a plane and moving the pen tip on the plane. 3D image components cannot be input. In addition, since the pen tip is brought into contact with the flat surface to detect whether it is a line drawing or a non-line drawing, a place on a plane or a flat contact object is required. In addition, there is a problem that the contact portion and the movable portion of the pen tip are liable to malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and has as its object to provide an input device capable of inputting three-dimensional image components.

Another object is to provide an input device that does not require a contact surface.

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device for detecting a moved position and inputting an image component to be processed to a predetermined device. Position detecting means for detecting a position where a predetermined portion built in the input device has moved based on movement in a space; recognition means for recognizing an image component based on the detected position; Wireless communication means for converting the components into data and outputting them as wireless signals,
Is provided.

Therefore, according to the input device of the present invention, the input device can be floated in the air to perform an input operation, and a three-dimensional figure or the like can be input.

Further, by making the position information detection and the movement trajectory detection of the input device non-contact detection, it is possible to prevent a failure of the detection unit due to the contact detection.

[0012] Further, by using wireless communication connection and battery operation, it is possible to provide an input device suitable for a portable portable device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front slightly above. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the input device shown in FIG. 1 and the components inside the input device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a changeover switch 1 for designating the type of a line to be input and for selecting the color of the line is provided slightly below the side of the input device. The changeover switch 1 is also used to turn on or off the power of the input device. When the changeover switch 1 is pressed to select the type and color of the line, the setting conditions are output to the wireless unit 7 via the control unit 6. Then, in the wireless unit 7, the setting conditions are encoded into a wireless signal, and transmitted from the antenna 8 to an arithmetic processing unit (not shown) for arithmetically processing the input image component. The setting conditions may be stored in the memory 11 and set so as not to be erased even when the input device is turned off.

When drawing a line (drawing line), the pen tip (cone-shaped tip shown at the bottom of FIG. 1) of the input device is moved while the detection switch 2 is pressed. Then, a pressing signal indicating that the detection switch 2 is being pressed is input to the control unit 6. Then, the acceleration sensor 4 detects the locus of the pen tip caused by the movement of the pen tip. Further, the angle sensor 5 detects how much the input device is tilted, and corrects the moved locus. Those acceleration sensors 4
The data detected by the angle sensor 5 is input to the control unit 6, and the trajectory of the movement of the pen tip is stored in the memory 11 as data. This data is output to the radio unit 7 via the control unit 6 in the same manner as when the above setting conditions are transmitted to the processing unit, and the data is encoded in the radio unit 7 and transmitted from the antenna 8 to the processing unit. Sent to.

On the other hand, when a line is not drawn (non-drawing line), the detection switch 2 is released without being pressed. As in the case of drawing, also in this case, the acceleration sensor 4 and the angle sensor 5 detect the trajectory of the pen tip by the control unit 6. Then, the detected data is sequentially stored in the memory 11. By this operation, the position of the input device is always grasped. The information on the movement trajectory stored in the memory 11 is transmitted to the arithmetic processing unit. This information may be transmitted when the changeover switch 1 or the detection switch 2 is pressed, or may be transmitted at predetermined intervals. Then, the predetermined period is predetermined by the user.

When the input operation described above is completed, the input result is determined by pressing the detection switch 3. That is, by pressing or not pressing the detection switch 2, the line input to the processor is determined in the processor. If the line information is stored and remains in the memory 11 when the detection switch 3 is pressed, the information is first transmitted to the processing unit, and then the input by the detection switch 3 is determined. Is transmitted to the processor.

Thereafter, when the user wants to delete the input result, the user switches the input device upside down. That is, the user holds the pen tip upward. Then, the angle sensor 5 detects the upside down state, and the mode of the input device is changed to the deletion mode. In this deletion mode, the function of each switch automatically switches. That is, the deletion range is selected by moving the input device while the detection switch 3 is pressed. The position where the detection switch 3 is pressed is the position where the deletion starts, and the position where the detection switch 3 is released is the position where the deletion ends. All the positions where the input device has moved from the deletion start position to the deletion end position are the deletion range. The deletion range is specified as described above. This deletion range is once stored in the memory 11, encoded in the radio unit 7 via the control unit 6,
The signal is transmitted from the antenna 8 to the processor.

Then, the deletion range is displayed on the display screen of the processing unit. When it is determined that the deletion range is to be deleted, the deletion range is deleted by pressing the detection switch 2.

Deleting a certain range is the same as inputting a line at a predetermined position. That is, the acceleration sensor 4 detects the locus of movement of the pen tip. Further, the angle sensor 5 detects how much the input device is inclined, and corrects the trajectory of the movement. Those acceleration sensors 4
The data detected by the angle sensor 5 is input to the control unit 6, and the trajectory of the movement of the pen tip is stored in the memory 11 as data. This data is output to the wireless unit 7 via the control unit 6, where the data is encoded and transmitted from the antenna 8 to the arithmetic processing unit.

The battery 9 supplies power to various parts inside the input device such as the control unit 6. This battery 9
Is a rechargeable type, and can be charged by supplying power from the charging terminal 10. Further, the data of the position information and the movement trajectory information detected by the input device are wirelessly transmitted to the calculation processing unit of the detected data, and the power is charged from the charging terminal 10 to the built-in battery 9 and supplied to each block. And Therefore, there is no need for a line for external connection for securing power supply.

As described above, the input device includes the acceleration sensor 4 and the angle sensor 5 and the detection switches (2 and 3).
Thus, since the input state, the position of the pen, and the trajectory are detected, it is possible to input characters and three-dimensional figures in a non-contact manner without requiring a plane location or a specific device.

Referring to FIG. 3, a case where the character "pen input" is input will be described as a specific example. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which a specific sentence example is input by using the input device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Input is started from 3-1 shown in FIG. 3 and ended at 3-2. In this case, the movement locus of the pen tip is detected by moving the pen tip while pressing the detection switch 2 in the solid line part. By moving the pen tip without pressing the detection switch 2 at the dotted non-drawing line portion, the movement position is detected. As the pen tip moves in this manner, the detected data is sequentially stored in the memory 11. When the movement trajectory and the movement position are detected by the acceleration sensor 4,
And when the state is switched by the changeover switch 1, the signal is input to the radio unit 7 via the control unit 6,
The radio signal is encoded by the radio unit 7 and transmitted from the antenna 8 to the arithmetic processing unit.

Next, the operation of inputting a sentence by using the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of inputting the text example or the like shown in FIG. 3 by using the input device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Is a flowchart showing a flow in which is recognized as a character and a sentence is input.

In step ST4-1, an input position by the input device is specified. That is, when the changeover switch 1 is pressed, the position of the pen point in the space is associated with the position on the display screen of the arithmetic processing unit. Normally, the position of the pen tip when the changeover switch 1 is pressed is set so as to correspond to the upper left of the display screen of the processing unit. This setting can be changed by the user, and when the changeover switch 1 is pressed, it is possible to change which position on the display screen the position of the pen tip corresponds to.

In step ST4-2, step ST4
It is confirmed by the user whether or not the user has accepted the input position set in -1. If the user is OK, the user presses the detection switch 2. If not, the user presses the detection switch 3 so that the input position is recognized by the input device and the arithmetic processing unit. Here, the detection switch 2 and the detection switch 3 are used as described above, but the roles may be reversed. It is preferable that the role of each switch is set so that the user can arbitrarily set the role.

In step ST4-2, step S
At T4-1, the user determines whether or not the user has accepted the input position set. If the user has accepted at this input position, the process proceeds to step ST4-3. Otherwise, the process returns to step ST4-1.

In step ST4-3, the input mode is switched by pressing the switch 1 several times, and the user is switched to the text input mode. It is preferable that the changeover switch 1 is set so that the mode can be cyclically switched. Other switches may be set so that mode conversion is performed cyclically.

In step ST4-4, a starting point for drawing a line is designated. The position where the detection switch 2 starts to be pressed is the starting point. With this, a line starts to be drawn.

In step ST4-5, detection switch 2
Is kept pressed. That is, the line is being drawn.

In step ST4-6, an end point for ending the drawing of the line is designated. The position where the detection switch 2 is released is the end point. This ends the line.

In step ST4-7, it is determined whether one character has been input. This determination may be made by an online operation in which the control unit 6 determines whether one character has been input. In this case, a dictionary or the like is installed in the memory 11 or the like, and it is determined whether one character is input by referring to the dictionary. In addition, encyclopedias and scriptures may be referred to. On the other hand, it may be determined by an offline operation. That is, when it is determined that the user has input one character, by pressing a predetermined switch (for example, the changeover switch 1), it is determined that one character has been input. If the input of one character has not been completed, a predetermined switch (for example, the detection switch 3) is pressed.

If it is determined in step ST4-7 that one character has been input, the process proceeds to step ST4-7.
The process proceeds to 4-8, and if it is determined that one character has not been input, the process returns to step ST4-4.

In step ST4-8, it is determined whether or not the phrase has been input. This determination is also made in step ST4.
As in the case of -7, the determination may be made by either the online operation or the offline operation. When it is determined that the phrase has been input, the process proceeds to the next step ST4-9, and when it is determined that the phrase has not been input, the process returns to step ST4-4.

In step ST4-9, characters are converted for each phrase. That is, each time the changeover switch 1 is pressed, the line type and line color of the character are converted. Here, it may be set so that character types such as Mincho and Gothic can be converted.

In step ST4-10, it is determined whether or not the character input has been completed. This determination is made by the user. By pressing a predetermined switch (for example, changeover switch 1), the input device is made to recognize that the input of the character has been completed. If not, the process returns to step ST4-1 or step ST4-4. Which step to return to is set such that the user can select a predetermined switch (for example, the detection switch 2) by pressing the switch. On the other hand, when the input of the character is completed, the process proceeds to the next step ST4-11.

In step ST4-11, input of a sentence is determined. That is, a determination signal is sent from the input device to the arithmetic processing unit, and the input of the sentence is determined.

Referring to FIG. 5, a case where a rectangular parallelepiped is input will be described as a specific example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how a specific graphic example is input by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When a solid line is to be drawn, the pen tip is moved while the detection switch 2 is pressed to draw a line.
When the pen is only moved as indicated by a dotted arrow, the pen is moved without pressing the detection switch 2. By moving the pen tip without pressing the detection switch 2 at the dotted non-drawing line portion, the movement position is detected.

As another method of drawing a figure,
Even if the vertex of the graphic is selected by pressing the detection switch 2 and the detection switch 2 is pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) in a predetermined mode, the vertices of the selected graphic are connected. Good. Here, the predetermined mode includes a two-dimensional mode and a three-dimensional mode, and is set so as to be selectable with the changeover switch 1 or the like. Before the vertex is selected, the mode for designating the dimension and the name of the graphic to be input are input, so that the selected vertex is a vertex of the graphic, and if the vertex is connected by a line, a desired It is also possible to set so that it is recognized whether a figure can be obtained.

The data detected by the movement of the pen tip is stored in the memory 11 sequentially. Then, the movement locus and the movement position are determined by the acceleration sensor 4.
And when the state is switched by the changeover switch 1, the signal is input to the radio unit 7 via the control unit 6, encoded into a radio signal by the radio unit 7, and
Is transmitted to the processor.

Since the input device of the present invention can draw a line on a display screen of an arithmetic processor without contact, it is easy to draw a figure as shown in FIG. In other words, it is only necessary to trace an actually existing cube with the pen tip of the input device. Then, by performing an operation on a predetermined switch or an arithmetic processing unit after determining from which position the bird's eye view is to be obtained, the figure as shown in FIG. 5 can be immediately drawn.

Next, the operation of inputting a graphic by using the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of inputting the graphic example and the like shown in FIG. 5 by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein an input start point and an input end point are designated. It is a flowchart which shows the flow in which the designated point was related and a figure was input.

Step ST6-1 is the same as the case where a sentence is input as shown in FIG. That is, the input position by the input device is specified. In other words, when the changeover switch 1 is pressed, the position of the pen tip in the space is associated with the position on the display screen of the arithmetic processing unit. Normally, the position of the pen tip when the changeover switch 1 is pressed is set so as to correspond to the upper left of the display screen of the processing unit. This setting can be changed by the user,
When the changeover switch 1 is pressed, it is possible to change which position on the display screen corresponds to the position of the pen tip.

Step ST6-2 is the same as the case where a sentence is input as shown in FIG. That is, the user confirms whether or not the user has accepted the input position set in step ST6-1. If the user is OK, the user presses the detection switch 2. If not, the user presses the detection switch 3 so that the input position is recognized by the input device and the arithmetic processing unit. Here, the detection switch 2 and the detection switch 3 are used as described above, but this role may be reversed, and it is preferable that the roles are set so that the user can arbitrarily set the roles.

In this step ST6-2, if the user is OK at the input position, the process proceeds to the next step ST6-3, otherwise, the process returns to step ST6-1.

In step ST6-3, the input mode is switched by pressing the changeover switch 1 several times, and the user switches to the graphic input mode. It is preferable that the changeover switch 1 is set so that the mode can be cyclically switched. Other switches may be set so that mode conversion is performed cyclically.

In step ST6-4, a starting point for drawing a figure portion is designated. The position where the detection switch 2 starts to be pressed is the starting point. Thus, the part of the figure starts to be drawn.

In step ST6-5, detection switch 2
Is kept pressed. That is, the figure portion is being drawn.

In step ST6-6, an end point for ending the drawing of the figure is designated. The position where the detection switch 2 is released is the end point. Thus, the drawing part is completed.

In step ST6-7, it is determined whether a figure portion, for example, a local portion of the figure such as a plane has been input. This determination may be made by an online operation in which the control unit 6 determines whether or not one character has been input, as in the case of text input. In this case, a dictionary of figures covering various figures is installed in the memory 11 or the like, and it is determined whether or not a part of the figure is input by referring to the dictionary. On the other hand, it may be determined by an offline operation. That is, when it is determined that the user has input a part of the graphic, it is determined that a part of the graphic has been input by pressing a predetermined switch (for example, switch 1). On the other hand, when the input of a part of the graphic is not completed, a predetermined switch (for example, the detection switch 3) is pressed.

If it is determined in step ST6-7 that a part of the figure has been input, the process proceeds to step ST6-8. If it is determined that a part of the figure has not been input, step ST6-8. Return to 4.

In step ST6-8, all the parts of the graphic are input, and it is determined whether or not the graphic has been input. When it is determined that the graphic has been input, the process proceeds to the next step ST6-9, and when it is determined that the graphic has not been input, the process returns to step ST6-4.

In step ST6-9, the graphic part is converted for each graphic part. That is, each time the changeover switch 1 is pressed, the line type and line color of the graphic line are converted. Line correction is also performed. Unlike a case where a text is input, a drawn line is input as it is.
Therefore, the shift of the detection position due to the swing of the input device or the like directly leads to the shift of the line. The displacement of the detection position due to the swing of the input device is corrected by the swing detection data detected by the angle sensor 5. With this swing detection data, it is possible to correct the displacement of the input line.

Step ST6-10 is similar to the case where the text shown in FIG. 4 is input. That is, it is determined whether the input of the graphic has been completed. This determination is made by the user. By pressing a predetermined switch (for example, the changeover switch 1), the input device is made to recognize that the input of the graphic has been completed. If not, the process returns to step ST6-1 or ST6-4. Which step to return to is set such that the user can select a predetermined switch (for example, the detection switch 2) by pressing the switch. On the other hand, when the input of the character is completed, the next step ST6-1
Proceed to 1.

Step ST6-11 is similar to the case where the text shown in FIG. 4 is input. That is, the input of the figure is determined. In other words, a determination signal is sent from the input device to the processor, and the input of the figure is determined.

Referring to FIG. 7, a case where specific two lines and three characters on the display screen are deleted will be described as a specific example.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where a specific example of a sentence is deleted by using the input device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

First, the input device is turned upside down. That is, the pen tip is directed upward. As shown on the left side of FIG. 7, when the user wants to specify a part of a sentence and delete the sentence in the specified range, the user moves the pen and presses the detection switch 3 to set the start point 7-1. specify. Next,
The pen is moved while the detection switch 3 is pressed, and the pressing of the detection switch 3 is stopped to specify the end point 7-2. After the deletion range is specified, the detection switch 2 is pressed to delete the text within the specified range. Then, as shown on the right side of FIG. 7, the display screen has the specified range deleted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, an operation of deleting a sentence by using the input device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting the text example or the like shown in FIG. 7 by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a deletion start point and a deletion end point are designated. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting a sentence at the designated location.

In step ST8-1, the delete mode is selected by turning the pen tip upward. Then, by pressing the changeover switch 1, the text deletion mode is selected.

In step ST8-2, a start point for starting deletion is designated. The position where the detection switch 3 starts to be pressed is the starting point.

In step ST8-3, detection switch 3
Is kept pressed. In this state, the range to be deleted is traced at the pen tip (the other end when the pen tip is one end of the pen), and the deletion range is designated.

In step ST8-4, when the pen reaches the end point of the deletion range, the pressing of the detection switch 3 is stopped, and the finger is released from the detection switch 3. By this operation, the end point of the deletion range is specified. As a result, the deletion range is determined.

In step ST8-5, step ST8
It is determined whether or not to delete the deletion range determined in step -4. That is, the detection switch 2 is pressed to delete the text within the specified deletion range, and the detection switch 3 is pressed again if the text within the specified range is not deleted. If the detection switch 3 is pressed again, the process returns to step ST8-2. When deleting, the process proceeds to step ST8-6.

In step ST8-6, the text within the designated deletion range is deleted. Thus, the deletion of the sentence ends.

Referring to FIG. 9, a case where a road portion of a map on a display screen is deleted will be described as a specific example. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a specific graphic example is deleted by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the case of deleting a figure, the specific operation is the same as the case of deleting the text shown in FIG. That is, the input device is turned upside down. In other words, the pen tip is turned upward. As shown on the left side of FIG. 9, a range of a part of the figure is designated. To delete the specified range, the user moves the pen and presses the detection switch 3 to specify the start point 9-1. Next, the pen is moved while the detection switch 3 is kept depressed to stop pressing the detection switch 3 and the end point 7-2 is designated. The range of a figure is set so that it can be specified in a rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper left corner (9-1) of the rectangle is the starting point,
The lower right corner (9-2) of the rectangle is the end point. The range surrounded by this rectangle is the deletion range. After the deletion range is specified, the detection switch 2 is pressed to delete the graphic portion within the specified range. Then, as shown on the right side of FIG. 9, a display screen is obtained in which the graphic portion within the specified range has been deleted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation of deleting the graphic portion by using the input device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting the graphic example and the like shown in FIG. 9 by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a deletion start point and a deletion end point are designated. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting a figure at a designated position.

In step ST10-1, the delete mode is selected by turning the pen tip upward. Then, by pressing the changeover switch 1, the figure deletion mode is selected.

In step ST10-2, a starting point for starting deletion is specified. The position where the detection switch 3 starts to be pressed is the starting point.

At step ST10-3, the detection switch 3 is kept depressed. In this state, the range to be deleted is traced with the pen tail, and the deletion range is designated.

In step ST10-4, when the pen tip reaches the end point of the deletion range, the pressing of the detection switch 3 is stopped, and the finger is released from the detection switch 3. By this operation, the end point of the deletion range is specified. As a result, the deletion range is determined.

In step ST10-5, step ST10-5 is executed.
It is determined whether to delete the deletion range determined in 10-4. That is, the detection switch 2 is pressed to delete the graphic portion within the specified deletion range, and the detection switch 3 is pressed again if the graphic portion within the specified range is not deleted. When the detection switch 3 is pressed again, the process returns to step ST10-2. When deleting, the process proceeds to step ST10-6.

In step ST10-6, the designated deletion range is deleted. Thus, the deletion of the graphic portion is completed.

An input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an external view of the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front slightly above. Also, FIG.
11 shows the internal configuration of the input device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a configuration unit in the inside.

The input device according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding a display unit 12 to the input device according to the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the input device of the first embodiment. Further, the functions of the other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the operation of the input device when a sentence is input is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. The operation of the input device when a graphic is input is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. Further, the operation of deleting sentences and figures is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.

The display unit 12 is an LCD (liquid crystal d)
isplay) or LED (light-emitting diode). The display unit 12 displays the mode, the line type, the line color, and the like selected by the changeover switch 1. When the display unit 12 is formed of an LCD,
Characters are displayed at predetermined locations on the LCD,
The currently selected mode is displayed. When the display unit 12 is composed of LEDs, the LEDs are provided in a number corresponding to the number of modes, and are set so as to be lit in different positions and in different colors in different modes. An LED for indicating the selected line type and line color is also provided. The display unit 12 may use an LCD and an LED at the same time. If it is easier for the user to display text in characters such as the selected mode,
It is preferable to set so that characters are displayed on the LCD. The line type is indicated by its name at the same time as the LC type.
D may show a sample of the line type. On the other hand, those that are easier to recognize with light that is lit than characters such as line colors are L
It is preferable that the ED is set to light up.

In the input device described above,
Blu is one of the short-range wireless communication systems
It is preferable that the setting is made to be Bluetooth (Bluetooth). In this case, the wireless unit 7 includes a wireless circuit capable of converting to a wireless signal conforming to the Bluetooth system and a signal processing circuit capable of executing signal processing conforming to the Bluetooth system. As a result, the input device can communicate with a device including an arithmetic processing unit that performs wireless communication using the Bluetooth method.

The Bluetooth system is less susceptible to obstacles and less likely to be interrupted than other short-range wireless communication systems using infrared rays such as IrDA. In other words, infrared rays have a high directivity, and if an obstruction blocks the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, both of which communicate with each other, there is a higher possibility that communication cannot be performed between the two communicating units as compared with Bluetooth. .

Each switch is preferably a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor recognizes that the pressure has been pressed when the pressure to be pressed becomes larger than the set pressure. That is, when a predetermined threshold value of the pressure is set in the switch and a large pressure equal to or larger than the threshold value is applied to the switch, the switch is depressed. On the other hand, when a pressure smaller than the threshold is applied to the switch, the switch is not depressed. This threshold can be set by the user. When this pressure sensor is applied to each switch, it becomes possible to cause the input device to accurately recognize whether or not the switch has been pressed, corresponding to the pressure at which the switch is different for each user. That is, the threshold value is set in the input device in correspondence with the pressure slightly smaller than the pressure pressed by the user. This setting is stored in the memory 11. When setting the threshold, the changeover switch 1 or the like is pressed, a threshold setting mode for setting the threshold is selected, and the user presses the changeover switch 1 or the like as usual. , Is preferably set.

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0083]

According to the input device of the present invention, it is possible to input a three-dimensional figure or the like.

Further, it is possible to prevent a failure of the detection unit of the input device.

Further, it becomes possible to input image components wirelessly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front or slightly above.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the input device illustrated in FIG. 1 and a configuration unit inside the input device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how a specific example of a sentence is input by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

4 is a flowchart showing an operation of inputting a text example or the like shown in FIG. 3 by using the input device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2; Is a flowchart showing a flow in which is recognized as a character and a sentence is input.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where a specific graphic example is input by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

6 is a flowchart showing an operation of inputting a graphic example or the like shown in FIG. 5 by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein an input start point and an input end point are designated; It is a flowchart which shows the flow in which the designated point was related and a figure was input.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where a specific example of a sentence is deleted by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

8 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting the text example or the like shown in FIG. 7 by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a deletion start point and a deletion end point are designated. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting a sentence at the designated location.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where a specific graphic example is deleted by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

10 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting the graphic example and the like shown in FIG. 9 by using the input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a deletion start point and a deletion end point are designated; 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of deleting a figure at a designated position.

FIG. 11 is an external view of the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front or slightly above.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the input device shown in FIG. 11 and a configuration section inside the input device.

[Description of Signs] 1 changeover switch 2 detection switch 3 detection switch 4 acceleration sensor 5 angle sensor 6 control unit 7 wireless unit 8 antenna 9 battery 10 charging terminal 11 memory 12 display unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B064 AB04 BA07 DD02 DD05 5B068 AA01 AA22 AA36 BD02 BD12 BD17 BD21 BD25 BE08 BE12 DD04 EE01 5B087 AA04 AA07 AD06 BC12 BC13 BC16 BC31 DD17 DG02 DJ01

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An input device for detecting a moved position and inputting an image component to be processed to a predetermined device, wherein a predetermined portion built in the input device is based on a movement in a space. Position detecting means for detecting a moved position; recognition means for recognizing an image component based on the detected position; wireless communication means for converting the image component into data and outputting it as a radio signal; An input device comprising: 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said image components are characters and graphics. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said position detecting means is acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration of said predetermined portion. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recognizing means has a character input mode and a graphic input mode, and further has a two-dimensional mode and a three-dimensional mode, respectively. Input device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising correction means for correcting the position to a more accurate position.
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein said correction means includes an angle sensor for detecting inclination and rotation. 7. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery for supplying power. 8. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit for turning on and off the recognition unit. 9. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a range designating means for designating a range for selecting an input image component. 10. The input device according to claim 9, further comprising a deletion unit for deleting a portion designated by said range. 11. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the recognized image component.